Walter Stiern Library

Why Students Plagiarize

Intentional Reasons

1. Poor time management skills
2. Lack confidence in writing and research ability
3. Maintain competitive edge because "everybody cheats"
4. Bored with course material
5. Perceive unimportant by professors and the university administration
6. Overwhelmed with academic, economic, and family pressures

Unintentional Reasons

1. Confused about the definition of plagiarism
2. Unable to decide what needs to be cited
3. Lack proper paraphrasing skills
4. Perceive plagiarizing as not a “big deal”
5. Cultural differences

Recommended Sources

Vicinus, Martha and Caroline Eisner. Originality, Imitation, and Plagiarism: Teaching Writing in the Digital Age. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, 2008.

Marsh, Bill. Plagiarism: Alchemy and Remedy in Higher Education. New York: State University of New York, 2007.

Neviille, Colin. The Complete Guide to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism. New York: Open University Press, 2007.

Roberts, Tim S. Student Plagiarism in an Online World: Problems and Solutions. New York: Information Science Reference, 2008.

Sutherland-Smith, Wendy. Plagiarism, the Internet and Student Learning: Improving Academic Integrity. New York: Routledge, 2008.